Difference between revisions of "Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls Hike"
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Starting at the [[Eagle Creek Trailhead]] you'll hike about a mile and a half to your first stop at [[Metlako Falls]]. The trail first runs along the creek but soon will high above the gorge, spans a wide, foggy valley at . Ascend away from the creek into old growth forests of douglas fir, crossing many sidecreeks via footbridge along the way until you reach the spur trail to Metlako Falls. Take the optional sidetrek to the viewpoint (highly recommended for first-timers!), or continue on toward [[Punchbowl Falls]], at about the 2 mile mark. At Punchbowl Falls you again have the option of taking a side trail. This one is a bit longer, dropping you down to the creek floor with a head-on view of the falls from football field's distance. Thru-hikers will sometimes skip this option, being satisfied enough with the viewpoint from above, about a quarter-mile up the main trail. Continuing on another mile or so passing by [[Loowit Falls {Eagle Creek)|Loowit Falls]] to the 3.3 mile mark and [[High Bridge]]. The trail leading up to [[High Bridge]] -- although wide, well groomed and oft-travelled -- is rocky and can be slippery in places. The path is carved into the cliffside 120 feet up! A cable-line is affixed in the rock to your left, providing some security, but on a busy day you will encounter two way traffic through this short, but vertigo-inducing stretch!. Pass with care. High Bridge serves as an obvious rest stop. | Starting at the [[Eagle Creek Trailhead]] you'll hike about a mile and a half to your first stop at [[Metlako Falls]]. The trail first runs along the creek but soon will high above the gorge, spans a wide, foggy valley at . Ascend away from the creek into old growth forests of douglas fir, crossing many sidecreeks via footbridge along the way until you reach the spur trail to Metlako Falls. Take the optional sidetrek to the viewpoint (highly recommended for first-timers!), or continue on toward [[Punchbowl Falls]], at about the 2 mile mark. At Punchbowl Falls you again have the option of taking a side trail. This one is a bit longer, dropping you down to the creek floor with a head-on view of the falls from football field's distance. Thru-hikers will sometimes skip this option, being satisfied enough with the viewpoint from above, about a quarter-mile up the main trail. Continuing on another mile or so passing by [[Loowit Falls {Eagle Creek)|Loowit Falls]] to the 3.3 mile mark and [[High Bridge]]. The trail leading up to [[High Bridge]] -- although wide, well groomed and oft-travelled -- is rocky and can be slippery in places. The path is carved into the cliffside 120 feet up! A cable-line is affixed in the rock to your left, providing some security, but on a busy day you will encounter two way traffic through this short, but vertigo-inducing stretch!. Pass with care. High Bridge serves as an obvious rest stop. | ||
| − | High Bridge is one of only two places where the trail crosses the creek. You'll start seeing campsites from this point on, the first being [[Tenas Camp]] just beyond the bridge. Look through the trees across from the camp site and look for [[ | + | High Bridge is one of only two places where the trail crosses the creek. You'll start seeing campsites from this point on, the first being [[Tenas Camp]] just beyond the bridge. Look through the trees across from the camp site and look for the wide [[Skooknichuck Falls]]. It can be hard to see in the warmer months when the folliage blocks its view, but in the winter it is an impressive falls on main creek. (There is a primative trail to a viewpoint, but it is not recommended). |
| + | |||
| + | As you continue on the West side of the gorge as you approach [[Four and a Half Mile Bridge]] you'll notice the forest composition has changed dramatically. It is a thinner, younger diciduous forest, and continues that way for a while. (A sign further uptrail describes a forest fire that swept through this area). | ||
| + | |||
| + | At 4 1/2 miles you'll cross the creek the second and final time, giving you your first opportunity to filter water in some time. (There are a few more opportunities upstream but then that's it until well after Tunnel Falls.) This area tends to be a popular fishing spot in the summer. | ||
Revision as of 04:54, 4 January 2007
- Start point: Eagle Creek Trailhead
- End point: Tunnel Falls
- Distance: 12 miles (round trip)
- Elevation gain: 1200 feet
- Seasons: Year round
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Backpackable: Yes
- Family Friendy: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
The Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls hike is one of the most popular and magnificent trails in the Columbia River Gorge, and for good reason. You will literally lose count as you pass dozens of spectacular waterfalls through the lush temperate rain forests and tall basalt cliffs. You'll traverse passageways blasted out of the bedrock with dynamite, footbridges over bubbling streams, talus slopes, and unique geologic formations along your journey -- and that's just in the first 2 miles!
Most of the early sections of this hike are described in more detail on this page: Eagle Creek to High Bridge Hike. We will summarize that page in the next paragraph.
Starting at the Eagle Creek Trailhead you'll hike about a mile and a half to your first stop at Metlako Falls. The trail first runs along the creek but soon will high above the gorge, spans a wide, foggy valley at . Ascend away from the creek into old growth forests of douglas fir, crossing many sidecreeks via footbridge along the way until you reach the spur trail to Metlako Falls. Take the optional sidetrek to the viewpoint (highly recommended for first-timers!), or continue on toward Punchbowl Falls, at about the 2 mile mark. At Punchbowl Falls you again have the option of taking a side trail. This one is a bit longer, dropping you down to the creek floor with a head-on view of the falls from football field's distance. Thru-hikers will sometimes skip this option, being satisfied enough with the viewpoint from above, about a quarter-mile up the main trail. Continuing on another mile or so passing by [[Loowit Falls {Eagle Creek)|Loowit Falls]] to the 3.3 mile mark and High Bridge. The trail leading up to High Bridge -- although wide, well groomed and oft-travelled -- is rocky and can be slippery in places. The path is carved into the cliffside 120 feet up! A cable-line is affixed in the rock to your left, providing some security, but on a busy day you will encounter two way traffic through this short, but vertigo-inducing stretch!. Pass with care. High Bridge serves as an obvious rest stop.
High Bridge is one of only two places where the trail crosses the creek. You'll start seeing campsites from this point on, the first being Tenas Camp just beyond the bridge. Look through the trees across from the camp site and look for the wide Skooknichuck Falls. It can be hard to see in the warmer months when the folliage blocks its view, but in the winter it is an impressive falls on main creek. (There is a primative trail to a viewpoint, but it is not recommended).
As you continue on the West side of the gorge as you approach Four and a Half Mile Bridge you'll notice the forest composition has changed dramatically. It is a thinner, younger diciduous forest, and continues that way for a while. (A sign further uptrail describes a forest fire that swept through this area).
At 4 1/2 miles you'll cross the creek the second and final time, giving you your first opportunity to filter water in some time. (There are a few more opportunities upstream but then that's it until well after Tunnel Falls.) This area tends to be a popular fishing spot in the summer.
See these other hike alternatives:
- Eagle Creek to Punchbowl Falls (shorter)
- Eagle Creek to High Bridge Hike (shorter)
- Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike (backpack option)
Maps
Trip Reports
- Eagle Creek to Tunnel Falls 9/23/06 - 9/24/06
- Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake, and Chinidere Mt 7/12/06 - 7/14/06
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Related Discussions / Q&A
- (Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Washington - 2nd Edition, by William Sullivan
More Links
- See more information at Splintercat.org